European Classical music has long relied on music competitions to provide a public forum that identifies the strongest players and contributes to the establishment of their professional careers. This is a list of current competitions in classical music, with each competition and reference link given only once. Many offer competitions across a range of categories and in these cases they are listed under "General/mixed". Competitions with age restrictions are listed under "Young musicians".

Chamber music

Choral/voice

Composition

Conducting

General/ mixed

Instrumental

Large Ensembles

Musicology

Piano/keyboard

String instruments

Woodwind instruments

Young musicians